Via Della Pace owners opening an Italian deli on 4th Street

Photo by Derek Berg

As we've been reporting, Via Della Pace is reopening in a new space at 87 E. Fourth St. between Second Avenue and the Bowery. 

Turns out co-owner Giovanni Bartocci and company have another venture on the block. Work has been taking place at 60 E. Fourth St. in recent weeks on an Italian deli/cafe going by, we're told, Via Della Scrofa.

The handpainted signage lists items such as espresso, biscotti, tramezzini, chinotto and porchetta. 

No word on opening dates for either business.

The 17-year-old Via Della Pace lost its home during the devastating fire on the southeast corner of Second Avenue and Seventh Street in December 2020.

The Italian restaurant had been closed since the previous fire on Feb. 10, 2020. At the time, the owners were unsure if they would ever reopen on Seventh Street. The fire last Dec. 5 took care of that, as workers had to demolish the five-floor building.

A campaign to landmark the building that housed A Gathering of Tribes on 3rd Street

Steve Cannon founded A Gathering of Tribes at 285 E. Third St. between Avenues C and D in 1991. Through the years, A Gathering of the Tribes evolved into a salon of sorts in Cannon's apartment for artists to meet and exchange ideas.

There's now a campaign to landmark the federal-style building that housed the arts and cultural organization. 

Here's more via the Gathering of Tribes website:

The Landmarks Preservation Commission recently made a commitment to "ensure diversity and inclusion in historical landmark designations, to make sure that we are telling the stories of all New Yorkers." 

Let’s hold them to it. Currently, the vast majority of historical landmarks in NYC honor the accomplishments of white, cis/het men from affluent backgrounds. 

Landmarking A Gathering of the Tribes would honor Steve Cannon’s legacy of radical inclusion, and protect a space that served as a second home and one-of-a-kind creative hub to countless diverse, revolutionary NYC artists for decades. Landmark status would protect this already historic building from demolition now, and in the future.

The organization, with the help of Village Preservation, is collecting letters of support for the landmarking through this Wednesday. (A previous effort to landmark the building was not successful in 2011.) This link has a sample letter and info about where to send a letter.

Cannon, a blind poet, playwright, and novelist, was evicted from the building following a lengthy legal battle in April 2014. Cannon died in July 2019 at age 84. 

A Gathering of Tribes continues on today, providing "a platform for diverse, traditionally under-represented artists and writers, amplifying the emerging and established revolutionary voices of our time." 

Image via

A speakeasy and restaurant concept slated for 221 2nd Ave.

A group of hospitality veterans is looking to open a two-concept establishment at 221 Second Ave. between 13th Street and 14th Street. (Thanks to Steven for the photo last week.)

Reps for Best Speakeasy NYC will appear before Community Board 3's SLA committee tonight to discuss their speakeasy, Sincerely, Ophelia, and restaurant, Chicken & the Egg, for the space. 

According to the questionnaire posted on the CB3 website (PDF here), the space will feature 11 tables for 44 guests and a 10-seat bar. Proposed hours for the restaurant are noon to 4 a.m., with the bar serving from 5 p.m. to 4 a.m.

The questionnaire includes this sample menu (click on the image for more details)...

Tonight's meeting starts at 6:30. You can join via Zoom here.

The previous tenant at 221 Second Ave., the 11-year-old Bay-Area sports bar Finnerty's, never reopened after the PAUSE of March 2020.

Tonight's sunset rainbow

Some dramatic rainbow action this evening! Thank you to everyone for the photos! 

The top one is via @cecilscheib ... And from Robert Miner...

... and Derek Berg...

... from Lilly Dancyger...

Updated! 

Here's one more via Jeanne Krier...

... and a great shot via Rob D. ...

Week in Grieview

Posts from this past week include (with a photo on 2nd Avenue by Derek Berg) ... 

• RIP Dee Pop (Monday) 

• Remembering William John Lopez (Tuesday)

• The Compost Yard in East River Park is on the move (Thursday) 

• A visit to Lovewild Design (Tuesday) 

• Duo NYC now open in its new 9th Street storefront (Thursday) 

• Souen reopens after late-September kitchen fire (Monday) 

• Demolition continues along 2nd Avenue to make way for an 11-story mixed-use building (Wednesday) 

• Cinema Salons — 'a mini-festival of radical films' — coming to the Anthology (Tuesday) 

• Ankara Turkish Restaurant announces itself on East Houston (Monday) 

• LiveSounds return to the Third Street Music School Settlement (Wednesday) 

• Tom's Juice debuts on 4th Street (Thursday) 

• Belse Restaurant makes it sign official on the Bowery (Wednesday) 

• And now the full reveal at 141 E. Houston St. (Monday)

• Con Ed puts more energy into power washing its substation on Avenue A (Monday) 

• A for-rent sign at the renovated former home of Black & White on 10th Street (Tuesday) 

• Night Market is a place for artists to meet (Friday) 

• David Flores next up for the Bowery Mural Wall (Wednesday) Motorcycle diary: In-progress look at the Bowery Mural Wall (Saturday) 

• Farewell to the locksmith-CBD shop on Avenue B (Monday)

... and a hello from Ray and Stella at Ray's Candy Store at 113 Avenue A (thanks Lola Sáenz for the pic!)

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Follow EVG on Instagram or Twitter for more frequent updates and pics. 

A Tim Ho Wan line check

EVG reader Doug notes that the lines are back to pre-March 2020 levels at Tim Ho Wan at 85 Fourth Ave. at 10th Street ... as seen today for their 11 a.m. open. 

The Hong Kong-based, Michelin-starred dim sum parlor officially opened here in January 2017. And they've been able to keep the crowds coming back (except when they were closed for indoor dining during the pandemic).

Mozart in the garden

Among the activities today in neighborhood community gardens... dell'Arte Opera Ensemble's Opera in the Park concert series continues with excerpts from Mozart's "Abduction from the Seraglio."

This free event is happening this afternoon from 3-4:15 in the Campos Community Garden, 644 E. 12th St. between Avenue B and Avenue C.

Find more info here. 

Image via

A Sunday edition today of the Nexus Flea

The previously rainy forecast for yesterday prompted organizers of the Nexus Flea to move the sale to today (Sunday!)... so you can find the local merchants with vintage clothes, jewelry, records, etc., on First Avenue and First Street from 1-6 p.m.

The next Nexus Flea is scheduled for Oct. 30.

Motorcycle diary: In-progress look at the Bowery Mural Wall

Here is an in-progress look at the Bowery Mural Wall.. where David Flores, known for his mosaic style of artwork, started work several days ago on Houston at the Bowery.

According to a description of the work on the scene... 

...the mural depicts "a motorcyclist driving into the street spreading florals out the back of the bike. The goal of the piece is to bring an element of fun to the daily lives of the community."

Flores, who started as a graphic designer for several skateboard companies, is expected to finish the piece on Monday.

Milling time for Avenue B moved to Monday-Tuesday

A quickie update on yesterday's post... the DOT has pushed the weekend milling planned for Avenue B to Monday and Tuesday evenings now. 

Also! Clinton Street between Houston and Delancey is also in for a milling, per the DOT website.

A plant sale today at the Recovery Center on 3rd Street

The Recovery Center is hosting a plant sale today from noon to 3 p.m. at the facility, 8 E. Third St. between Second Avenue and the Bowery. 

Per the flyer, "all proceeds go directly to clients of our outpatient substance use treatment center." 

The Center, part of Project Renewal, hosts plant sales in its outdoor space several times a year.

'Star' power

 

Surfbort released a video this week for their latest single, "Big Star" ... from the new release Keep on Truckin'.

How to watch 'Make Me Famous,' a documentary on 1980s downtown artist Edward Brezinski

A documentary of possible interest: "Make Me Famous" is making its world premiere on Sunday evening at the NewFest. 

Here's a description:

Edward Brezinski worked alongside Keith Haring, David Wojnarowicz, and Jean-Michel Basquiat in the Lower East Side art scene, but never reached the same level of success as his contemporaries. "Make Me Faous" uncovers why such a well-connected yet peculiar painter never made it, despite being so maniacally focused in his quest for fame. 

What begins as an investigation into Brezinski’s legacy and mysterious disappearance becomes a sharp, witty portrait of NYC's 1980s downtown art scene. Gallery owners and fellow artists dish on insider gossip, name drop, and contradict each other in telling the story, resulting in an irresistible snapshot of an unknown artist that captures the spirit of an iconic era.

The film screens at the SVA Theater on 23rd Street Sunday evening at 7. "Make Me Famous" is also available to stream today through Oct. 26. 

Details on the in-person screening and home-viewing options are at this link.

Night Market is a place for artists to meet in Tompkins Square Park on Friday evenings

Artist-proprietor Lori Der Hagopian, who operated the matchbox-sized gallery The Stand on Avenue C and Seventh Street, is launching a new project. 

Starting tonight at 6, she's presenting Night Market in Tompkins Square Park. She's inviting artists to bring their materials (as well as a blanket and flashlight) and meet at Tompkins Square Park — the entrance on Avenue A at St. Mark's Place. 

Weather permitting, she plans to host these gatherings tonight through Dec. 17... and start them back up again in the spring. 

The Stand (2012-2019) was a unique venture, a pop-up gallery and performance space featuring work by mostly unknown artists. You never knew exactly what you'd find there on a given weekend night.